Purchase Welcomes New President

The State University of New York Board of Trustees voted on Monday, July 28 to name Michael Steiper, PhD as the seventh president of Purchase College.

Dr. Steiper most recently served as Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at CUNY’s College of Staten Island.

 “I am honored and thrilled to be selected as the next president of Purchase College, SUNY,” says Steiper.  

“With its renowned conservatories and outstanding liberal arts and sciences programs, Purchase is a rare gem in higher education where both critical thinking and creativity thrive.

 “Throughout the search process, I have been inspired by the dynamism of the Purchase community. It is a campus where deeply engaged faculty and dedicated staff nurture the aspirations of exceptionally talented students.

 “I am committed to building on Purchase’s vibrant culture to advance its mission of access and excellence, enhance student success and opportunity, and expand Purchase’s impact across New York and beyond.

 “I am grateful to the SUNY Board of Trustees, Chairman Tisch, Chancellor King, the Purchase College Council, Chair Glazer, and the Search Committee for their confidence and support.”

During the meeting, SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. and the SUNY Board of Trustees thanked Dr. Milly Peña for serving as Purchase College’s president and recognized her service to the Purchase community.

“Purchase College is a leader in accessible and extraordinary arts and arts-adjacent education and is an outstanding liberal arts institution,” says SUNY Chancellor King.

“This storied college has a proud history of supporting students and helping them grow, create, and inspire, and SUNY looks forward to working with Dr. Steiper as he leads Purchase through the institution’s next chapter.”

The SUNY Board of Trustees adds,

“We commend Dr. Steiper on being appointed to serve as Purchase College’s new president, and are confident that he will help take Purchase College to new heights. As an academic, administrator, musician, and lifetime New Yorker, Dr. Steiper’s experience on-and-off the campus will help support a strong future for Purchase College.”

“After a comprehensive nationwide search, Purchase College has a terrific new President in Dr. Michael Steiper,” says Dennis Glazer, Purchase College Council Chair and Presidential Search Chair.  

“Dr. Steiper’s intellect, experience, and highly collaborative leadership style are an excellent match for our campus. Our College Council, Foundation Board, faculty, staff and students were all part of the selection process and we very much look forward to partnering with President Steiper as we build on the special community that is Purchase College.”

About Dr. Michael E. Steiper

Dr. Steiper is a mission-driven academic leader dedicated to faculty and student success who most recently served as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at CUNY’s College of Staten Island (CSI).

At CSI, Dr. Steiper coordinated the campus’ vision for student success, contributing to strong increases in student retention and growth in enrollment. In his current capacity, he oversees the development and implementation of academic programs and policies and represents the campus on CUNY system-wide initiatives.

Prior to his time at CSI, Dr. Steiper spent two decades at Hunter College, where he had roles as a faculty member and administrator, most recently as Associate Provost for Academic Success, Institutional Effectiveness and Strategic Analytics. During his time at Hunter, he served as the inaugural director of Hunter’s Human Biology Program, now the college’s second largest major. He led an active research lab that explored key questions in primate evolution and mentored students at all levels, many of whom have gone on to careers in academia and STEM fields.

As a biological anthropologist, Dr. Steiper’s research centers on human and primate evolution, with particular emphasis on primate molecular evolution, the relationship between genetic and fossil records, and the interplay between skeletal and genetic variation. His work primarily utilizes genetic and bioinformatic techniques, and he has participated in paleontological fieldwork across three continents.

Dr. Steiper is a lifelong New Yorker and current Westchester resident who earned his Ph.D. and MA from Harvard University and his bachelor’s from New York University.